Orioles rookie pitcher Dylan Bundy makes MLB debut vs. Boston

Peter SchmuckThe Baltimore Sun

Top pitching prospect Dylan Bundy finally got into a major league game Sunday, making his major league debut in a relief appearance in the eighth inning of the series finale between the Orioles and Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park.

Bundy was recalled from Instructional League early Wednesday morning as bullpen insurance after the Orioles needed 18 innings to vanquish the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field. He was not needed that night and there was some speculation that he might not pitch at all during the final two weeks of the regular season.

He entered Sunday’s game with a runner at second and one out in a game the Orioles trailed by a run. The first batter, rookie catcher Ryan Lavarnway hit a long fly ball to center field, but Adam Jones was there to make a fairly routine catch. Infielder Danny Valencia followed with a pop out to right to end the inning.

When he threw his first pitch, Bundy became the 16th youngest player ever to appear in a game for the Orioles.